Situated in Sydney’s China Town, the Haymarket Hotel is a refreshing and opulent venue crafted within a heritage listed building that was once a bank.
The hotel features three very different areas for patrons to unwind in: a basement bar, the main bar and a mezzanine level.
The main bar on the ground floor features the original bank teller counter to form the framework for the centre piece bar. A light and airy feel embodies this area with beautifully restored marble paneling and six-metre high leadlight, detailed ceilings offset with simple elegant furniture. Dry bars frame the main bar for those wanting a casual gathering space, whilst gorgeously decadent brass bead drapes and bronze mirror ceilings encase intimate alcove booth seating.
In the basement, which still houses the original vault doors, is the Martini Bar scattered with comfortable red and white furniture.
Belinda See, managing director of Complete Exposure Design, was responsible for the interior design of the venue. All soft furnishings, internal light fixtures and external signage plus heritage displays were custom made to her designs whilst other vintage embellishments were sourced locally and overseas.
The clients brief required the original features to remain without making the venue feel too yesteryear.
”The design plays upon the heritage of the site, a former bank, making the most of the ornate plaster and timber work as well as leadlight sky lights and unbelievably high ceilings,” explained Belinda.
The mezzanine level overhangs the main bar area on the ground floor and uses small bronze smoke glass mirrors to help enhance the ornate ceilings decorative patterns. The colour tones are warm and inviting with large clean lined retro-inspired lounges and armchairs covered in a gorgeous mix of different textured and colour fabrics. Some lounges blend together a heavy woven orange stripe cushion with a damask orange and fawn velour backrest all framed with an off white goanna skin texture. Original art deco mirrors have been sourced and hand selected to amplify the art deco feel of the gold painted ceilings.
The ground floor bar utilises the original marble bank teller counter as its bar and dry bar areas as its centrepiece. The old solid dark timber transaction benches have also been maintained and sealed with glass featuring very simple signature graphics pertaining to the buildings heritage since its construction. The colours selected for the walls and ceiling give the space a freshness and openness without the heavy stereotypical use of greens, burgundies and creamy creams.
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